Road race just part of busy Fourth of July for Bethel Park resident
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Nick Wolk, left, from Peters Township, and Eli Anish match strides during the first mile of the Brentwood Firecracker 5K race. Wolk eventually pulled away from Anish and won the race in 15:42. Anish followed in second place with a 16:03 time.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Stephen Becker was one of the patriotic runners in the Brentwood Firecracker 5K race. Despite the encumbrance of his costume, Becker covered the 3.1-mile course in 26.48, an 8-minute, 37-second pace per mile. Becker, who has competed in as many as nine races in the 39-year history of the event, says since he dresses up every year, he now has a reputation to uphold.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
After running in the Firecracker 5K Race, Brian LeJeune drove the first truck carrying Bethel Park baseball players in the Brentwood Fourth of July parade. David Kessler walks alongside LeJeune, hoisting the 2022 PIAA trophy the Hawks won on June 17 after beating Selinsgrove. Senior members of team riding in the truck are Ben Hudson, Cody Geddes, Dylan Schmude, Will Sokira and Bo Conrad.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
South Hills runners Guiseppe Mascari Jr. (1599), Greg Mussitch (1213), Joseph Molinaro (1144) and Dean Rowland (1211) swap stories and share a cold beverage after finishing the Brentwood Firecracker 5K race.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Jared Koenig, Mitch Davis and Bailey O’Malley manned one of the water stations for runners during the 39th annual Brentwood Firecracker 5K race. If runners didn’t like the refreshment option, they could have purchased a hot dog from the vender on the next corner.
Brian LeJeune had to be quick on his feet this Fourth of July, as the 45-year-old Bethel Park resident had multiple responsibilities.
First, he was entered in the 39th annual Firecracker 5K race. Then he had to negotiate his way to the start line for the annual Brentwood parade. Both events traversed Brownsville Road.
LeJeune completed the 3.1-mile kilometer race, which started at 9, in 30 minutes, 26 seconds. He placed 39th in his age group and 159th in the masters division.
“I had a good run,” LeJeune said.
LeJeune has had successful races thanks to his sister. A Bethel Park resident, too, Nikki Yingling clocked an identical time as LeJeune but finished 34th in her age group.
“It was her idea years back for us to start running this race together,” LeJeune said.
In 2020, the live event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2021, registration was limited. This year’s race drew 1,284 participants.
“There were a lot of people, more than prior years, ” LeJeune said.
“I had a great time,” he added. “It was fun,”
LeJeune’s joy could not compare to his forthcoming duties. He drove one of the trucks that featured his son’s state championship team in the parade that stepped off at 10 a.m. and traveled much of the same race course.
Bethel Park’s high school varsity baseball was among the featured elements in the annual parade. The Hawks had won their second straight PIAA state title on June 17. The feat has only been accomplished by three other WPIAL teams.
“Watching my son in the parade was the highlight of the day,” LeJeune said. “I enjoy (running), but it was nice to see the guys being recognized for their achievement.”
Brentwood holds a special place in LeJeune’s heart. His father, who passed away last year, grew up on Brevard Avenue. Lejeune, himself, grew up in nearby Carrick.
“I did the run for my dad,” LeJeune said. “It was a nice way to celebrate him, too. It was a great day for celebrating him, my family and the Hawks’ family.”
The South Hills running community celebrated as Peters Township High School graduate Tim Wolk finished first in the race. The 24-year-old Pitt graduate won the race in 15:42.
Ann Mazur, 36, was the first female finisher in 18:38, ahead of Gina Bolla, 19, who clocked in at 19:24.
“The run and the parade are great events,” LeJeune said. “It’s why people come back.”
LeJeune anticipates running in next year’s race, but he won’t be surprised if he isn’t also driving another BP parade float.
The Hawks return six starters from this year’s 21-4 club, including his son, Evan, who is a pitcher on one of the best staffs in the state.
“They have a good shot,” he said. “They could come back.”